Sounds like Iron Weed. I have been seeing it blooming around here too.

Rebecca

Yup - ironweed. I love that color! It grows from upstate New York to all the way down here (but there's less of it down here... I'm told that there's lots more of it in the Nashville region than in East TN.)

It doesn't transplant well, if you were thinking of trying. I think it may have a long tap root? Better to get seed if you can - but we warned that it can be invasive, at least it was in the north.

It has a humongous taproot. There's no such thing as pulling one up. They're easy to grow from seed, though.

I'm about 35 miles SW of Nashville and Ironweed is all over the place around here. Iris, if you want to research the plant the botanical name is Vernonia. There are several species. Here the big tall one called V. altissima (which means roughly "really tall" in Latin) is the common species, and it gets up to 10 feet or even more with ample moisture. Other species range from 4 to 8 feet or so.

One of my favorite end-of-summer sights are bright orange migrating Monarchs nectaring on those royal purple Ironweeds.

Marty

Do any of you grow these "weeds" on purpose? I need a replacement for my Valerian, which I managed to kill in the first August dry spell. I loved how tall it got.

I grow V. altissima. Want one?

Marty

Thanks for all the help.I may try to save some seed.

I'd LOVE one! I'm hoping to make the Mid-TN swap. I can't remember - are you in East East TN or in Mid TN? If you're in East TN, we can just meet up whenever you want.

-Regina

I'm in mid tn.I've never been to any of the plant swaps, i never can seem to find the time.Hope to go some day.